Torrance Municipal Code Art. 17 Speed Contests - Spectators

a) "Illegal motor vehicle speed contest" or "illegal exhibition of speed" means any speed contest or exhibition of speed referred to in California Vehicle Code sections 23109(a) and 23109(c).

b) "Preparations" for the illegal motor vehicle speed contest or exhibition of speed include, but are not limited to, situations in which: (1) a group of motor vehicles or individuals has arrived at a location for the purpose of participating in or being spectators at the event; (2) a group of individuals has Lined one or both sides of a public street or highway for the purpose of participating in or being a spectator at the event; (3) a group of individuals has gathered on private property open to the general public without the consent of the owner, operator, or agent thereof for the purpose of participating in or being a spectator at the event; (4) one or more individuals has impeded the free public use of a public street or highway by actions, words, or physical barriers for the purpose of conducting the event; (5) two or more vehicles have lined up with motors running for an illegal motor vehicle speed contest or exhibition of speed; (6) one or more drivers is revving his engine or spinning his tires in preparation for the event; or (7) an individual is stationed at or near one or more motor vehicles serving as a race starter.

c) "Spectator" means any individual who is present at an illegal motor vehicle speed contest or exhibition of speed, or at a location where preparations are being made for such activities, for the purpose of viewing, observing, watching, or witnessing the event as it progresses. Spectator includes any individual at the location of the event without regard to whether the individual arrived at the event by driving a vehicle, riding as a passenger in a vehicle, walking, or arriving by some other means.

a) Any individual who is knowingly present as a spectator, either on a public street or highway, or on private property open to the general public without the consent of the owner, operator, or agent thereof, at an illegal motor vehicle speed contest or exhibition of speed is guilty of a misdemeanor subject to a maximum of six (6) months in jail and a fine of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).

b) Any individual who is knowingly present as a spectator, either on a public street or highway, or on private property open to the general public without the consent of the owner operator, or agent thereof, where preparations are being made for an illegal motor vehicle speed contest or exhibition of speed is guilty of a misdemeanor subject to a maximum of six (6) months in jail and a fine of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).

c) An individual is present at the illegal motor vehicle speed contest or exhibition of speed if that individual is within two hundred (200) feet of the location of the event or within two hundred (200) feet of the location where preparations are being made for the event.

d) Exemption. Nothing in this Section prohibits law enforcement officers or their agents from being spectators at illegal motor vehicle speed contests or exhibitions of speed in the course of their official duties.